Just put 2.5" lift shackles on the rear of my edge and plan on taking out the stock 2" blocks and replacing them with 4" blocks. Will 4.5" of lift be too much for the stock shocks or can I get away with stock shocks for a couple months with street driving only?

 

I would say you would be lucky if your stock shocks had that much down travel which means they should be replaced now.

 

if I were to see If I had enough travel, I would mark where sag is on the shock then jack the rear end until the wheels come off the ground mark there. Then measure difference between two marks correct? If it's larger than two inches, im good?

 

once its lifted, just bounce the back of the truck. you'll feel it right away.

 

not completly correct. You just need to make sure that the shock isnt what limits axle drop. I know that when i have my suspension at full drop, because of the leaf spring, i can disconnect the lower shock mount and the shock still has some more length left in it. Will it hurt the truck if you lift it another 2 inches then find out? no probably not but if the shocks will not work and you lift it you could ruin your current shocks.

 

If your shock is what limits down travel, you will destroy your shock in no time. I think it would be safe to say you need longer shocks. Alex has a good point about jumping on the back. If they are to short, the truck will 'thump' when it bounces back.

 

ah ok, was worried about the shocks bottoming out; had it backwards. So the leaf spring limits the down travel for the rear, the t bars limit the down travel for the front?

 

Believe so...

 

Just want to make sure that these will fit, does anyone know what part of the block is angled/ tapered?: 98 11 Ford Ranger Sport 4" Rear Lift Blocks Block | eBay

Thanks for the help

 

A 4 inch block is going to be pushing it. Period. I would consider looking at an explorer leaf pack and running the stock two inch block. One huge block will cause terrible axle wrap.

 

x2

I have a hatred for all blocks as well. Huge blocks and/or stacking blocks is a bad route to go. Spend a little extra, and get something much better....

To echo what was already mentioned:

If you can swing it - I recommend you go 'all the way' and use some replacement rear lift springs sitting right on the axle and don't bother with any blocks at all. This is what I did when I put on my RCD setup (which normally uses the shackle & AAL setup). Here is the link to a popular replacement spring: Skyjacker Softride Lift Leaf Springs FR36S - SummitRacing.com. These are sold individually - so you would need to order two. You would probably want the smaller version since your not lifted - but same deal, just different part number.

If cash is an issue, you can save some by doing what '99DangerRanger' said - running the stock block and using the explorer leaf pack setup.

 

Damn not what I wanted to hear. My truck is a total street queen, rarely goes off road, and am easy on the throttle when taking off. Didn't think the axle wrap would be that big of a deal. Changing the leaf springs/ aal were the last things I wanted to do. All the trucks I've been in with different spec leaf springs rode too hard for my liking.

 

The hard ride is part spring and part shocks. If you have really stiff shocks its going to let you feel every bump.

 

And you should be able to find explorer leaf springs that have a similar spring rate as your ranger. When i put explorere leafs on my truck it actually helped the ride not hurt it.

 

If you're worried about it riding rough then you should just leave it stock and not look into lifting it.
As previously stated, 4" blocks are stupid. Yes, they get the job done but it will do you more wrong than good. I was expecting my truck to ride stiffer after installing an AAL but it honestly rides the same. I got 2" longer shocks to accommodate for the added lift and it rides good.
1hr job to install and its easy but im sure installing a new leaf pack is probably a little more involved but also not difficult.

Do you enjoy the look of your rear axle pushed forward now after putting on lift shackles?

 

Just got an email from them saying that their blocks are made from aluminum, homie don't play that. How much lift do the stock explorer springs give and are they a direct bolt on?

To be honest I didn't even notice a difference:

 

I got about two inches out of the expo leaves. And yea they bolt right in no problems.

 

x2 to bolt on. just find some with low mileage if you can.

 

I got about 2 inches with mine also because i removed my stock 2" block and stay about the same height. find a low milage set and maybe look into replacing the bushings. Usually the most trouble you will have taking the old leafs out is the bolts being rusted into the bushing sleves, since your in FL you may not have that issue.

 

Sorry to jack the thread, but I was also wondering about needing shocks. I am going to do the 2" torsion twist lift for the front and the 2" shackles in the rear. I have the stock 2" block that will remain in the rear, so I'm assuming the shocks will be reaching their OEM limits. I barely drive the truck since it's my toy vehicle, but when I need it to go I will want to not worry about the shocks.

I've had Ranchos before on anothe Ranger and they were definitely stiff, so maybe the Bilsteins would be better? It'll be used for playing in fields and just putzing around whenever I can. I was trying to find a shock for a 1-3" lift max, because I figure that would keep the shock in a safe operating range with the lift I will be doing. Any help is appreciated. PM me if you want.

 

You might be ok with just 2" shackles in the back. Depends how saggy your suspension is and other things. Just do the test. Install shackles and jack up the back of the truck from the frame and see what limits the down travel.

 

Will do, thanks. I'm thinking of maybe getting a helper spring for the rear just to add a bit more stiffness to the leafs.

 

I'd just get longer shocks. Bilsteins are going to be stiffer than the ranchos btw

 

I was having trouble finding longer rear shocks. I have found many sites for front shocks with 1-3" lifts, but nothing for the rear. Any guidance to suggested shocks is gladly accepted. I found the RS5000 have the lifted front shocks, but the rears are stock. For Bilstein, this is what I found on OffRoadWarehouse's site:

BS-F4-BE5-2816-H0
Bilstein Shock - Rear Lifted 1-2'' FORD RANGER EDGE 2WD 98-07 Bilstein Part# BS-F4-BE5-2816-H0
Our Price: $81.33

I have the XLT, so not sure if the suspension is the same and mine is 4wd. Are the shock mounts different? I have the factory 2" block, so would that put me at the 2" mark mentioned by these shocks? (essentially, what I currently have for OEM shocks?)

 

Rockauto has rancho rear shocks for 1-2.5 inches of lift
RANCHO Part # RS5126 RS5000 Series (Rebate/Promotion Available!)
w/1 - 2.5 in. Lift; Rear